Mental Health and Social Inclusion

Are you included? The Australian Government places a high priority on ‘social inclusion’. But how well are people living with a mental illness ‘included’ in our society? SANE Australia’s Research Bulletin 12 aims to find out. The new survey is available online now to complete. Results will be published in June 2010.  ‘Research tells us [...]

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Health reform needs to include Mental Health

Australian of the Year, Patrick McGorry has appealed for mental health to be part of the Federal Government’s health reforms in national television commercials to be aired this weekend. McGorry makes the plea in a campaign for political activists GetUp. In the commercial, which will debut during political programs on Sky News and Channel 10, he [...]

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Health Bill and Mental Health

Last week we published a post regarding the recent US Health Bill and impact on mental health consumers. This week an excellent article in The New York Times entitled ‘Mental Health Experts applaud New Law’s focus on Parity’ discussed the issue further.  The following is an excerpt from the article: The law signed by President Obama [...]

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Websites in Focus Series:Global Forum for Community Mental Health

This week we start a new regular feature called Websites in Focus. The series will identify a new website that look at mental health issues. The first one is Global Forum for Community Mental Health.  The mission for GFCMH is: to provide a supportive network for all those interested in promoting community mental health services [...]

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TheMHS Mental Health Weekly News Digest

The following is a roundup of news articles from both here and overseas: Special needs underfunded PM slammed for slashing mental health funding Keneally NSW plan leaked on web Medicare rift splits the ranks psychologists More Australians seeking therapy No health without mental health Yes he Did – US Health Reform Job loss and mental [...]

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Lawyers launch Depression and Anxiety Working Group

Lawyers work in a profession who have some of the highest rates of depression. Business Spectator reported yesterday that: “Last night, Australia’s five largest law firms – Allens Arthur Robinson, Blake Dawson, Clayton Utz, Freehills and Mallesons Stephen Jaques, launched the Depression and Anxiety Working Group, in conjunction with the College of Law and university [...]

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What does the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mean for US mental health consumers

It would be hard to miss the media this week on Obama signing the historic health bill but what does it mean for mental health consumers? The following is an extract from Bazelon Centre for Mental Health Law in the US. On March 21, 2010, the House of Representatives passed the Patient Protection and Affordable [...]

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Telepsychiatry Innovations

An interesting recent article from Time Magazine discussed Telepsychiatry becoming  a growing trend in mental health. Telepsychiatry unlike a phone call allows doctors to observe patients’ facial expressions and body language. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), is conducting the first large federally-funded randomized clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of telemental health in [...]

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Social Entrepreneurs – changing landscapes

At our recent Mental Health Summer Forum Cheryl Kernot spoke of social entrepreneurs and the impact they could have on many areas including mental health. For those interested in reading more about this area the Stanford Social Innovation Review is an excellent starting point.  The site contains articles, blogposts and podcasts with information on social innovations. [...]

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No health without mental health – questions for Mr Rudd and Mr Abbott

As the leaders begin their first election debate, millions of Australians will be hoping that the words ‘mental health’ are not only mentioned, but real commitments are made to change the ongoing tragedy and desperation facing many Australian families.   There is a reason why the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission devoted a whole chapter [...]

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